Nut retainer die and ejector



`uly 31, 1945.

F. 13Ev LOE NUT RETAINR DIE AND EJECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 22, 1944 l JNVENTOR P/ll/L UEL rlllll.

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July l Y PVDEZIOE NUT RETAINER DE AND EJEcToR Filedmaroh 22, 1944 2 sheets-sheet 2 9 MMU fox- INVENTOR. Paz/z. DE 0E tore punchingiand A set out in the appended claims.

Patented July 31, 1945 :UNITED STATES PArEgN OFFICE j f LJNIQITRETMNR DIEADFJFQTOR Paul De Loe, Detroit, Mich.;assignor'toTowne' Robinson Nut-Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporationof Michigan u -V A y ApplicationMarenga 1944;y Seraing. ,157211586 u iol. 1li-s) -V #16 Claims.

This inventionrelates to automatic nutffofrnring'inachine's and more particularly toganut retainer .'die. punch, and. knockout .mechanism for use in'fco'njunctionwitnsaid.machine i.

, The invention v further relates to` a vnut retainer disembloyd in .-.niunction with anni; vpiantine diepira, .nut forming machine 4wherebythe central' vportion yof the Vformed inut blank is. punched out" i-tz-z il .il

' L Itis, thelobiect Y0.1"Ymeeres@nt invention to pm- .videja die;attachment/fonanautomatic nut form- .inglmaehine vwhiclrius adapted to immOVablyretain the nut blank throughout the punching op eration as. wellI as prevent distortion;v thereof dui'- ing said,operatio n, ly l. n

, It is. the further object ofV this invention to: pro;- vide`,means yfor ,retainnggthe punched3 slug -vor pelletfwithin the-nut piercing die duringwithdrawal of -the vpunch as well as during ejection orfknockout'ofv the formed nut.v

Y tis theMfurther-Object of this. invention to vprovide means for ejecting the formed nut #from the retainer die after the punchingoperation. 1

Itis-the still Afurtherolrgject herein oi ,providing a quick acting resilient means for controlling the nut ejection operation. l., 1 .55.1. ther objectsfwillbeseen from thenovelgcony struction and, .arrangements of.y elements .ofthe entire nut retainer, punch and ejectionlmechanism hereafter, described inv detailandiclaimed in ,conjunction witl'rt the appended kdrawings of Fig; lis a fragmentary.elevational-broken away section kof the nut forming .machine showingfthe construction iof the inutv die and ejection; attachmenttherefor.,` f 1:1; ,1. Fig.`2 is a. right end.elevational viewgthereof.` v M Fig@,3;Iisan'elevational viewof the nutv retainer die'y. rv Fig. i` is an velevational section of the formed nutfter punching. r i Fig. 5 isgngelevational section of .the nut Abe- Fim-6 an enlarg'edsectional view ofthe nut.

forming .retainer die, ythe piercing die, yand yits retainersleeva Y It vwill berunderstood that `the above drawings merelyillustratea preferable embodiment of this invention; and that other embodiments'are'contemplated within the scope .of this: invention vas v VInthe drawings-a kportion of thelnut forming `machine bedyis shown at-Il carrying atitsgleft end the nut retainerand piercing Xdies vgenerally indicated at A iniili. 1'andillustratedy in enlarged form'l in., Fig.. 6,. Reciprocabler punch B withits operative endl C,v fis n adaptedv for ,inserting the nut blank `I 2,'sho'wn in Fig. 5. intothefretainerfdie I3.

.Forzthe purpose of illustratior'i- .it is assumed that.; the conventionaljhexagonal nut is being formed (and consequently; said retainerdie I3, as

shown. 'in lFig. 3,` has a vcentral y hexagonal opening Ul:c'orresppriding' to vthe shapegorf said nut,v being adaptedto sniiglyyetslidably. receive thevsame for the punchingA operation hereafter described. The nut punching die. mechanism A consists ofa hollowfsle'eve'retainer l5 for the .piercingdie holder I6 slidably and reciprocably .provisioned therein. .Agnon-rotatable relation is dened. be-

f tween; membersl and I6 by means of .the transverse key I1 withinsleeve llwith'its-.inner end slidably provisionedzwithin slotted key cway, I8 in membery.

l. ollownut lretainerfdie I3 lfixedly provisioned withinthe open/outerend of-sleeve` lvslidably receives theouterend ofv hollow, piercing diey I8, theinner endof whichv is xedly secured within itshollofwreciprocable holder I6. The outer end of piercing die I9 is adapted to assume an; initial inoperative vposition..substantially flush with -the outensurface. ,of l retainer die I3, howevervv other progressive positions thereofv are shown in Figs. landt. Y f K M V LReciprocablev punch B is adapted to., project nut blank I2 against the outer endy of piercing dieIS as the same is fedinto proper positionr by the nutufformingr machine. Inward `forceful movement .of punchB displaces said piercing ,die to the yright as shownfin Fig..1, until the annular shoulder 20- engages anvil 2I.,f-provisioned .between machine bed I I and sleeve I5 as indicated in -Fig.1.. Y l y.-

In thelatter figure, nut blankl 2 Vhas been par. tially insertedr within retainer die I3. with its outer` edges snugly 'engaging' the inner surfaces of opening I4. in saidzretainer. vThe inner end of nut blank I2 `isfmaintained securely against the outer end of: piercing 'die Is'nowimmovably ypositioned as shown in Fig. 6. l'Furthermov'ethroughl which the punched' out pellets l22 are.

successively projected I for communication with the outlet opening 26 `formed withinlknockol shaft21. y vPunch B having rmoved to the dotted line'pition 28 now withdraws completely from retainer die I3 with this movement being preceded by a` forceful movement to the left of knockout shaft 21 as well as a resulting knockout movement of holder 6 and die I9 to the left. Thus the formed punched nut 29, shown in Fig. 4, is ejected ahead of the withdrawing of the punch, there being a suitable stripper D whereby the nut isv stopped after leaving retainer die I9 and permitted to drop away from the path of movement of punch B.

It will be understood that reciprocable motion of punch B is continuous with single nut blanks I2 being successively presented in front of opening I4 in retainer I9 and in the path of moving punch B.

There is a tendency for the pellet 22 to follow the withdrawing punch B; and to prevent this,

opening 24 is offset from opening 23 within piercing die I9 providing annular shoulder 30.

Cylindrical pellet holder pin 3| with flanged head 32 is transversely and reciprocably provisioned through corresponding openings in piercing die I9 and its holder I6.

Piston 33 transversely and reciprocably provisioned within sleeve I operatively engages head 32 of pin 3|, being adapted to intermittently project said pin into opening 24 of piercing die |9.

Movement inwardly of pin 3| is timed to coin- .aide with the positioning of pellet 22 within opening 24 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, so that .he inner end of said pin operatively engages the edge of said pellet projecting the same upwardly. Ihus any tendency of pellet 22 to return on Withdrawing movement of punch B is prevented by the engagement of said pellet with the annular shoulder formed within piercing die I9. l

As shown in Fig. 1 a suitable bell crank 34 pivoted at 35 is adapted to intermittent reciprocable pivotal movement effecting upward movement of push rod 36 joined thereto at 31. Said push rod with central collar 38 movably projects, through a suitably supported bracket 39 with its upper end operatively engaging pellet pin actuating cylinder 33.

Coiled spring 40 interposed between collar 38 and bracket 39 resiliently maintains push rod 38 in a slightly elevated position when bell crank 34 is in inoperative position` whereby the inner end of pin 3| projects partially within opening 24 in piercing die I9.

The pivotal movement of said bell crank is timed to coincide with the end of the inward punching movement of punch B so that the inner operative end of pin 3| engages the pellet as it reaches the dotted line position shown in Fig. 6. It will be understood that the relative positioning of pin 3| on the punched pellet is attained by thc `prompt return of piercing die I9 to the left as soon as Vsaid pellet is punched out. In other words. in the manner hereafter described, pierc.

ing die I9 moves to the left even before punch |3 has completed its punching stroke. whereby said pellet is transferred relatively from opening 23 to opening 24 in piercing die I9.

Knockout shaft 21 is reciprocably provisioned horizontally through bushing 4| within nut forming machine bed adjacent one end thereof,

with its other end slidably projecting throughY is transversely carried on knockout shaft 21 by means of its supporting nut 44 which threadably engages the outer threaded end 45 of said shaft. A suitable lock nut 46 is threaded upon the end.

of shaft 21 for retair ing ring supporting nut 44 in any desired adjusted shaft. v v

Oppositely provisionld trunnions 41'and 48 on trunnion carrying ring 43 project through corre` sponding openings in the two parallel spaced levers 49 and 50 shown in Fig. 2.

Said levers are pivotally carried at their upper ends by transverse bolt 5I provisioned through corresponding openings in thespaced horizontal outwardly projecting links 52- and 53 suitably bolted and secured to` the forming machinebed by fbolt 54. Longitudinal movement to the right of shaft 21 thus effects'an outward pivotal movement of levers 49 and 50 around bolt 5I.

Transverse cross bar 55 suitably secured at 56.. and 51 to the lower ends of levers 49 and 50 carries a plurality of hollow bushings 58 shown vin Fig. l, adapted to slidably and reciprocab'lylengage the three parallel stationary shafts59,` 60 and 6| suitably secured at 62 at their inner ends tothe forming machine bed II .l Nuts 62, 63 and 64 are respectively threaded position relation to said l upon the outer ends of shafts 59, 60 and 6I for 'I retaining the annularly flanged spring stops 65, 86 and 61, Coiled springs 68 are provisioned over substantially the length of shafts 59, 60 and 3| respectively interposed between annular flanges 69 on slidable bushings 58 and the annular flanges 10 on the stationary spring stops 65, 66 and 61.

This construction thus permits a very substantial compression of said coiled springs upon the outward pivotal movement of levers j49 and 50 which operatively join knockout shaft 21. The potential energy stored in springs 68 is sufficient to effectively and forcefully actuate levers 49 and 50 to the left as soon as knockout shaft 21 is released afterthe punching operation and prior to punch B returning to its inoperative position.

Knockout shaft 21 is then projected tothe left forcefully actuating die holder vIii vwhich in turn through piercing die I9 forcefully elects the punched nut 29 from its retaining die I3.

It will be noted that a suitable shock absorbing anvil 1| is interposed between trunnion carrying ring 43 and the shaft bushing 42 for minimizing the shock eected by resilient returned levers 49 and 50 following each punching operation.

In operation it is seen that knockout shaft 21 is projected to the right by action of punch B operatively engaging the nut blank, and inserting it within retainer-die I3, so that it operatively engages the outer end of piercing die I9 effecting forceful movement thereof to the right. Holder I6, which carries said piercing die, likewise moves to the right until it engages anvil 2|; therefore knockout shaft 21, which is in engagement with holder |6, is also projected to the right compressing coiled springs 88.

Thus it is the central portion 22 of the nut* blank which maintains knockout shaft 21 in its extreme position to the right. As soon as punch B separates the nut blank from its central poring machine 'comprising a 'hollow retainer, a hollow reciprocable means therein, a hollow piercing die carried by said means, a hollow nut retainer die in said retainer consisting of a ring with a polylateral slot to supportingly retain the sides of a nut blank, and a reciprocable punch for inserting a nut blank into'sai'd retainer die and for removing the central portionthereof.

2. YA nut punching attachment for a nut forming machine comprising a hollow retainer, a hollow reciprocable means therein, a hollow piercing 'diecarried by said means, a hollow nut retainer die in said retainer consisting of a' ring with a polylateral slot to supportingly retain the sides of a nut blank, a reciprocable punch for inserting a nut blank into said retainer die and for removing'the central portion thereof, the inner surfaces of said retainerdie corresponding to the a nut forming machine comprising a hollow re- A tainer, a hollow reciprocable means therein, ra

hollow piercing die carried by said means, af hollow nut retainer die in said retainer consisting of a ring with a polylateral slot to supportingly retain the'sides of a nut blank, a reciprocable punch for inserting a nut blank into said retainer die and for removing the central portion thereof, and means `for `ejecting the punched nut from said retainer die.V

4. A nut punching and ejectingv attachment for;V

ing operation, for ejecting the punched nut `from said retainer die. v

5. A nut punching mechanism comprising a hollow retainer, a hollow nut blank retainer die in the end thereof consisting of a ring with a polylateral slot to supportingly retain the sides of a nut blank, a hollow reciprocable means in said retainer, a hollow piercing die carried by said means and adapted for movement into said retainer die, and a reciprocable punch for initially projecting a nut blank into said retainer die and into operative engagement with said piercing die, and also for removing the central portion of said blank upon further movement relative to said piercing die. l

6. A nut punching and ejecting mechanism comprising a hollow retainer, a hollow nut blank retainer die in the end thereof consisting of a ring with a polylateral slot to supportingly retain the sides of a nut blank, a hollow reciprocable means in said retainer, a hollow piercing die carried by said means and adapted for movement into said retainer die, a reciprocable punch for initiallyv proj e'cting a nut Vblank 'into said retainer 4die and into operative engagement withsaid piercing die and also 'for removing the central portion of said blank upon further movement relative to said piercing die, andexpansible resilient means, compressed on initial movement vlof said piercing die, for ejecting the punched nut vfrom saidretainer die after the punching operation. l y

'7. A nut punching mechanism comprising a hollow retainer, a hollow retainer die in the end thereof consisting of a lring with a polylateral lslot for -slidably and snugly receiving a nut blank, a

'hollow reciprocable means in said retainer, ahollow piercing die carried by said means, a reciprointo said retainer die and into operative engagement with said piercing die, and also for removing the central -portionof said blank upon lfurther movement relative to said piercing die, and keeper means projecting into said piercing die for retaining said punched portion on reciprocal movement of said punch.

8, A nut punching mechanism comprising a hollow retainer, a hollow retainer die in the end thereof consisting of a ring with a polylateral slot for slidably and snugly receiving anut blank, a Ahollow reciprocable means in said retainer, 'a hollow piercing die carried by said means, a reciprocablepunch for intially projecting va nut blank into said retainer die and into operative engagement withsaid piercing die, and lalsov for removing the central portion of said blank upon further movement relative lto said `piercing die, transverse resiliently mounted keeper means provisioned through said reciprocable vmeans and projecting into the interior of said piercingl die for operative retaining engagement with said punched out portion, and a reciprocable-cylinder slidably provisioned through said hollow retainer for operative engagement with said keeper means. f

9. A nut punching mechanism comprising a hollow retainer, a hollow retainer die in the Vrend thereof consisting of a ring with a polylateral slot for slidably and snugly receiving a nut blank, a hollow reciprocable means in said retainer, 'a hollow piercing die carried by said means, a reciprocable punch for initially projecting a nut blank into said retainer die and into operative engagement with said piercing die, and also for removing the central portion of said blank upon further movement relative to said piercing die, transverse resiliently mounted keeper means p-rovisioned through ,said reciprocable means and projecting into the interior of saidvpiercing die for operative. retainer engagement with said punched out portion, a reciprocable cylinder slidably provisioned through said hollow retainer for operative engagement with said keeper means, and reciprocable rotary means operatively engageable with the outer end of said cylinder in timed relation to movements of said punch.

10. A nut punching mechanism comprising a hollow retainer, a hollow retainer die in the end thereof consisting of a ring with a polylateral Slot l for slidably and snugly receiving a nut blank, a

hollow reciprocable means in said retainer, a hollow piercing die carried by said means and having an annular shoulder therein, a reciprocable punch for initially projecting a nut blank into said retainer die and into operative engagement with said piercing die, and also for removing the central portion of said blank upon further movement relative to said piercing die, and keeper means projecting into said piercing die for elevating said punched portion into retaining engagement with said annular shoulder.

11. A nut punching and ejecting mechanism comprising a hollow retainer, a hollow reciprocable means therein, a hollow piercing die carried by said means, a hollow nut retainer die in said retainer consisting of a ring with a polylateral slot to supportingly retain the sides of a nut blank, a reciprocable punch for inserting a nut*l blank into said retainer die and for removing the central portion thereof, and a reciprocable knockout shaft operatively engaged by said reciprocable means, and adapted to operatively engage said means in `the opposite direction for ejecting the punched nut from said retainer die.

12. A nut punching and ejecting mechanism comprising a, hollow retainer, a hollow reciprocable means therein, a hollow piercing die carried by said means, a hollow nut retainer die in said retainer consisting f a ring with a polylateral slot to supportingly retain the sides of a nut blank, a reciprocable punch for inserting a nut blank into said retainer die and for removing the central portion thereof, a reciprocable knockout shaft operatively engaged by said reciprocable means, and adapted to operatively engage said means in the opposite direction for ejecting the punched nut from said retainer die, and expansible resilient means compressed on initial movement of said shaft,

13. A nut punching and ejecting mechanism comprising a hollow retainer, ahollow reciprocable means therein, a hollow piercing die carried by said means, a hollow nut retainer die in said retainer consisting of a ring with a polylateral slot to supportingly retain the sides ci a nut blank, a reciprocable punch for inserting a nut blank into said retainer die and for removing the central portion thereof, a reciprocable knockout shaft operatively engaged by said reciprocable means, and adapted to operatively engage said means in the opposite direction for ejecting the punched nut from said retainer die, pivoted lever means joined to said shaft, and expansible resilient means joined to said lever means, compressed on initial movement of said shaft.

14. A nut punching and ejecting mechanism comprising a hollow retainery a hollow reciprocable means therein, a hollow piercing die car- Aried by said means, a hollow nut retainer die in said retainer consisting of a ring with a polylateral slot to supportingly retain the sidesvof a nut blank, a reciprocable punch for inserting a nut blank into said retainer die and for removing the central portion thereof, a reciprocable knockout shaft operatively engaged by said reciprocable means, and adapted to operatively engage said means in the opposite direction for ejecting the punched nut from said retainer die, pivoted lever means in spaced relation, trunnion means carried by said shaft intermediately and pivotally joining said lever means, and expansible resilient means joined to said lever means, compressed on initial movement of said shaft.

15. A nut punching and ejecting attachment for a nutI forming machine comprising a hollow retainer, a hollow reciprocable means therein, a hollow piercing die carried by said means, a hollow nut retainer die in said retainer, a reciprocable punch for inserting a nut blank into said retainer die and for removing the central portion thereof, a reciprocable knockout shaft operatively engaged by said reciprocable means, and adapted to operatively engage said means in the opposite direction for ejecting the punched nut from said retainer die, spaced lever means pivotally supported by said forming machine, trunnion means carried by said shaft intermediately and pivotally joining said lever means, and expansible resilient means joined to said lever means, compressed on'initial movement of said shaft.

16. A nut punching and ejecting attachment for a nut forming machine comprising a hollow retainer, a hollow reciprocable means therein, a hollow piercing die carried by said means, a hollow nut retainer die in said retainer, a reciprocable punch for inserting a nut blank into said retainer die and for removing the central portion thereof, a reciprocable knockout shaft operatively engaged by said reciprocable means, and adapted to operatively engage said means in the opposite direction for ejecting the punched nut from said retainer die, spaced lever means pivotally supported at one end by lsaid forming machine, trunnion means carried by said shaft intermediately and pivotally joining'said lever means, and expansible resilient means joined to the other end of said lever means, compressed on initial movement of said shaft.

PAUL DE LOE. 

